Twine balling apparatus and method



1931- H. A. CORBETT 1,830,641

TWINE BALLING APPARATUS AND METHOD lFiled Oct. 28, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR fierer/ H (orw/ BY 7e AT iz RNEY 5 j NOV. 3, 1931. CQRBETT 1,830,641

TWINE BALLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 28, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 enuhin INVENTOR Herer/ 6'. Cbre/f NOV. 3, 1931. CQRBETT 1,830,641

TWINE BALLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 28, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 151 T Z?! 07 I 273 Z63 Q 270 70] 566 INVENTOR fierer/ 6? (Bre/f Nov. 3, 1931.

H. A. CORBETT TWINE BALLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 28, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 159 o [5 T6237 Q 3 J34 J50 14% a 13? .mwqrlllllil I; Mllfllllll Zia? INVENTOR BY ail/{7 TOR 15% Nov. 3, 1931. H. A. CORBETT 1,830,641

TWINE BALLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 28, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 3, 1931. H. A. CORBETT 1,830,641

TWINE BALLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct. 28, 1927 a Sheets-Sheet e Q Rum, f

l 1 F NQN W Nov. 3, 1931. H. A. CORBETT TWINE BALLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Filed Oct.

INVENTORjQ Herber/ fiCqrbe/V Nov. 3, 1931. H. A. CORBETT 1,830,641

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA OD Filed Oct. 28, 1927 Shgets-Sheet s mw g Patented Nov. 3, 1931 icE E T y1*;

HERBERT A. CORBETT, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK, ASSLIGNOR TO COLUMBIAN ROPE COMPANY, OF AUBURN, NEW YDBK, A CORPORATION OF NEV YORK TWINE BALLING APPARATUS AND METHOD Application filed October 28, 1927. Serial 'No. 229,404.

This invention relates to twine balling method and apparatus and particularly to devices included in such apparatus forapplying baiids to the outer surface of-balls of twine.

In the manufacture of twine balls according to the most common present practice a certain amount of twine is pulled out from the finishing end and wrapped several times about the circumference of the ball across the turns in the cover layer of twine so as to form a retaining band for the same,.after which the end of the twine is pushed beneath the band thus formed to prevent unraveling. This practice, besides requiring considerable skill on the part of an operator for its execution, also entails great waste of twine and of the operators time. Moreover, when the ultimate consumer of the twine balled in this n-ranner comesto use it he most frequently begins using the outer end, removing the band and allowing the twine to unravel or slip off in layers and waste. The latter cause of waste is encountered particularly when the twine has a smooth orglazed surface, not only on account of the smooth finish in itself but also 011 account of the fact that glazed twine as usually manufactured contains considerable moisture at the time it is wound into balls and hence shrinks in the ball allowing the layers to become loose. To a certain extent these consumption losses are eliminated when the twine is pulled out from the inner end but this also entails waste through the falling in of the outer layer after the inner supporting layers have been removed.

According to the present invention the waste of time and material entailed in manufacturing-and the waste incident to consumption are effectively reduced or entirely eliminatedby the application of a band of paper or other material to the outer surface of the completed ball. The band may be reinforced to prevent tearing, if of paper, and preferably is provided with an adhesivesurface next the ball so that each individual strand of the cover layer will be securely held in place relative to adjacent strands andalso held from falling in toward the center of the ball the lower layers are removed. The band thus serves to strengthen or lend rigidity to the outer layer. .Nhen sucha band is employed it provides a convenient surface for printedinatter such as directions or advertiseinentsand trade marks ofthe manufacturer whereasit has heretofore been difhcult, if not impossible, for a manufacturer to properly identify his product inthe hands of the individual consumer using less than carton lots.

With the above considerations in view it is the general object of the present invention to provide apparatus for the application of such bands and desirably also to provide ap paratus for the fabrication of the bands.

For the pupose of furnishing a more complete iuiderstanding of the invention the same is shown embodied in an existing; form of machine for winding the balls though it is to be understood that it isv not limited to use with the particular winding machine but may be employed in connection with many other types of machines and further that the band applyingapparatus itself may have various embodiments other than that herein illustrated and described.

The nature of the invention and further objects will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection wlth the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecifieation and in which Fig. 1 'isa front elevational view of apparatus embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View;

Fig. i is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 44 of Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View of a detail shown most clearly in its relationto other parts in Fig. 2; i

Fig. 5A is a sectional view taken on the line 5A5A of Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation and Fig. 7 a side elevation of a band guide;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the line 8 -8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a vertical section on the line 99 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of parts shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a gearing diagram rearranged slightly for clarity of the View; 7

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of automatic and manual control devices;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged vertical section on line 1313 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged vertical section on line 14-14 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 15 is a plan view of-a winding spindle and related parts showing the manner of starting a band thereon Fig. 16 is a plan view of the spindle and. ball after the band has been completely applied;

Fig. 17 is an end elevation of parts shown in Fig. 15; and

' Fig. 18 is an end elevation of parts shown in Fig. 16.

In the drawings the letter A denotes a supporting frame comprising vertical members 20, cross members 21, and a top plate 22. Spaced pedestals 23, secured to the rear top surface of the plate 22 by studs 24, are provided with bearings held by retaining caps 25 for the main driving shaft 26. The shaft may be driven through a pulley 27 by a belt 28 or the equivalent.

A bracket 30 is secured to the plate 22 by any suitable means and this bracket is provided with a lower laterally extending foot 31 and an upper laterally extending arm 32 providing support for an oscillating frame 33 pivoted to the foot 31 at 34 and to the arm 32 at 35.

The oscillating frame 33 is provided with spaced vertical members 36 and 37 furnishing bearings for a mandrel or spindle 38 upon which the balls of twine are formed, and for an intermediate. shaft 39. The mandrel shaft 38 carries a gear 40 meshing with a gear 41 on the shaft 39. A bevel gear is fixed to the shaft 39 and is driven by a bevel gear 43 secured upon a vertically disposed shaft 44 mounted in the frame 33 and passing through a suitable aperture inthe table 22. The shaft 44 oscillates in the aperture about the pivot points 34 and 35 of the frame 33 and a gear 46 on the shaft 44 is in mesh with and driven by a gear 47 on a vertical shaft 48, the axis of the latter shaft being in line with the axis of the pivots 34 and 35. The gear 46, due to this arrangement, is constantly driven by the gear 47 although it oscillates in an orbit about the gear The shaft 48 carries bevel gears 51 and 52 and is slidable in a vertical direction in suitable bearings supported by the frame A in order to bring the gear 51 in mesh with a bevel gear 53 or alternately to bring the gear 52 in mesh with a bevel gear 54 in order that the shaft 48 may be driven at selected speeds. The gear 53 is carried by a horizontal shaft 55 which carries at its other end a bevel gear 56 in mesh with a bevel gear 57 on a drive shaft 58. The bevel gear 54 is carried by a journal 60 and is rigidly secured to a gear 61 meshing with a gear 62 on a horizontal shaft 63. The shaft 63 is provided with a bevel gear 64 driven by bevel gear 65 on the shaft 58. The shafts 55 and 63 are supported by bearing brackets 66 and 67 secured to the frame A. The lower end of shaft 48 is carried in a pintel bearing 70 supported through a pin 7 2 by foot treadle lever 71 pivoted upon a cross member 73 by a rod 7 3a. The pin 72 works in a slot in the lever 71 in order to keep the pintle bearing 70 directly in line with the shaft 48 in all positions. Any r'zonvenient means may be provided for holding the lever 71 and the bearing 70 in the upper or lower adjusted positions. For example, a block 7 4 of proper thickness may be'placed upon the floor beneath the pintle-carrying end of the lever 71 when adjusted to hold the selected gears in mesh.

The shaft 58 carries a friction plate or disc 75 at its upper end and is driven by a friction pinion 76 splined to the shaft 26 so as to be slidable thereon into various adjusted positions for driving the shaft 58 at different desired speeds. For the purpose of shifting the friction pinion 76 to various positions along the shaft 26 it is provided With a grooved collar 77 engaged by fingers 7 8 of an arm 79 car ried upon a post 80 fixed to the table 22. The arm 79 may besecured in various adjusted positions on the post 80 by means of a set screw 81 passing through a hub 82 provided on the arm and into engagement'with the post.

- In order that the friction plate 75 may at all times be held in firm engagement with the friction pinion 76, the shaft 58 is slidable 4 in its bearing on the frame A and is biased upward by a lever 85 pivoted to a cross member 21 of the frame A by a'pin 86. The longer arm of the lever 85 carries a Weight 87 and the shorter arm carries a pintle bearing 88 for a. shaft 58 similar to the pintel bearing 70 described for shaft 48. V

A flyer 90 is carried by a shaft 91 rotatably mounted in the bracket 30 and is driven from the shaft 26 by any suitable means as,

weight member. 97. may be a smoothly roundedmember adapted toserve asa handle fo'radj usting the position of the flyer with relation to the swung positionofthe mandrel frame 33 for a purpose which will later be made apparent.

The flyer shaft .91 is provided with a central axial IbOI B 99 as most clearly shown in Fig. 12 for permitting the twins strand 100 to pass therethrough from feeding rolls or spools 102 :to the twine laying member 96 of the =flyer. The feeding spools 102 are carried upon brackets 103 secured to the frame A and tension is appliedto the feeding rolls by any preferred means as, for example, a gravity weighted brake shoe- 104 bearing upon a flange of the spools 102 for preventing too rapid feeding of the twine. The spindles of the spools 102 may be removably held upon blocks 105 secured to the brackets 103 by hooks 107 pressed against the spindles of the spool bysprings 108.

The mandrel frame 33 may be oscillated in any desired manner but, as shown, the mechanism provided for this purpose includes a reciprocating-bar 110 pivotally connected by apin 11-1 to a rocking lever 112 keyed to an oscillating shaft 113. The shaft 113 is mounted in a bearing 114 carried'upon the pedestal 23 and,at the end opposite the arm 112 carries another rocking lever 115. This latter leveris provided with a slot 116 to accommodate in-eccentric rod 117 secured therein by a-p-in 118. The eccentric rod 117 is operated byan eccentric 120 driven from shaft 26 by gears 121, 122-and 123, the gear 121 being fast on the shaft 26, the gear 123 being fast on the eccentric shaft and the gear 122 being loosely mounted between :the gears 121 and 123 .on a journal 124 secured to the pedestal 23.

The parts thus far described are suiiicient for the ordinary winding of a ball of twine on the mandrel 38. It will be evident that Whenthe shaft 26 is driven jthreu h the belt 28 it will turn the friction pinion 76 to rotate the friction plate 7 5 and the shaft 58 which will drive shaft 48 either through shaft orisliaif-t 3, and tliroughtthe :train of gears described, willcause rotation of the mandrel or spindle .38 upon which the ball of twine wound. The frame 33 carrying the man drel 38 with at the same time, be oscillated about the pivot points 34 and 35 by the bar 110 through the Ioperat-ion of the eccentric 120. NVhile the mandrel .38 is thus rotated on its own axis and oscillated in the frame 33, the flyer 90 is turned rapidly to lay the twine in a ball upon the mandrel.

Themachine described is to be considered as exemplary only and it is to be understood that machines of a different character and mode of operation may be used in connection with the band-applying mechanism now to be described. Also it will be nnderstood that the particular band-applying mechanism The counterweight 97 hereinafter described has been made to conform more orfless, in its physical embodiment. to the twine winding machine chosen for illustration in connection. therewith and that the band -.ap.'plying mechanism wouldassinnc different specific embodiments when adapted to other types of machines.

- As shown, a frame .130 is secured upon the table 22 and supportsa box 131 forztape feeding mechanism in such position that the forward end of the box from :which the .ta pc issues willstand closely adjacent to the ball winding space of the spindle 38 so that the tape may be conveniently applied to the surface ofthe finishedor partly finished ball in dicated z-in :l he drawings by :theletter B.

The details of the tape feeding box are most clearly shown in Figs. 4 to 10 inclusive. Here it will be seen that the .box comprises abott-om piece 132 curved upwardly at its onter end 132a, andside plates 133 and 134. Two rolls 136 .and137 are journaled in the side plates 133a11d134. These rolls are driven by a vertically moving rack bar 138 extending along oneside 134 of the box. The roll 136 is driven directly by the rack .bar 138 through rack teeth 139 operating upon the pinion 140 having ratchet drive connection withthe spindle ofthe roll. 7

A second gear 142 is secured to the shaft of the roll-136 and this gear meshes with an intermediate gear 143 to drive a gear 144 on the shaft of the roll 137 .to cause said latter roll to be driven when the roll 136 is driven and in the same direction Asshown in Figs. 5 and 5A the pinion 140 is carried upon the hub of a disc .149 loosely mounted on the shaft of the roll 13 6and the shaft maybe provided with a ratchet wheel 145. A pawl 146 is pressed toward the ratchet wheel by a spring 147 and-drives the :roll through its pivot pin 148 which is secured to the disc 149. By this means the rolls are always caused .to rotate in feeding direction by downward movement of the-rack bar as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5A. I

J ournaled between the members 133. 134 in vertical. slots are rolls152, 153 friction-ally engaging the rolls 136., 137 respectively. Springs 151 cause these :rolls 152 and 153 to press firmly against their .companionrrolls so that the tape 1.50 wi llbe positively gripped between .them at all times. The front ends of the plates 133, 134 carry spaced bearing brackets 155 provided with slots 156 for the purpose of retaining the stud journals of a roll 157 adapted to engage the surface of the twine ball B when the, same has reached approximately its completed size. Rods 158 pivotally connected to the roll journals and to rocking levers 159 press the :roll 157 upon the ball atthe pro-per time through the action of a push rod 161 connected through a hea y spring 17 4 to a lever 165 fast upon the same shaft, 167 as that :to which the levers 159 are keyed. A light spring 141 attached tolever 165 normally holds the roll 157 away from the ball. The push rod 161 is operated by a cam to be described later.

A small container 160 is provided for sup plying a fluid to dampen the roll 137. In case the tape arrives at the roll 137 with adhesive material already aflixed thereon, the fluid in the container 135 maybe water or like dampening fluid but, ifdesired, an adhesive fluid may be carried in the container and be applieddirectly to the tape by the roll 137.

Toward the rear end of the boX 131 and interiorly of the side plates 133 and 134 a pair of spaced guides 162 are mounted on a rod 163 arranged between the side plates. The tape 150 is adapted to pass between these guide plates 162 and, if desired, a roll 164 may be provided upon the rod 163 for the purpose of preventing friction of the tape as it passes thereover. A guide 166 is proided at the outer end of the box 131 for aligning the tape as it arrives in feeding position with relation to the box. This guide is shown in'detail in Figs. 6 and 7 and comprises spaced roller journal guides 168 integral with a base 169 and a slide 171 carrying a roller 172 adapted to be pressed upon the tape by a-weight 173. The base 169 may be secured upon a bracket 170 attached to the box.

Although thetape which is used on the twine balls B may be of any desired type which will resist transverse tearing I prefer to use a paper tape which is reinforced along its length either by being stitched, by havin reinforcing strandsof twine or cord secure thereto, or by some other approved method. Also, while the tape may be formed and supplied ready for use I prefer to fabricate the tape in the same machine which applies it and for this purpose I have shown suitable mechanism in the drawings.

This mechanism includes a tape supply roll 17 5 carried upon a stud 176 upon the side of the frame A, reinforcing cord supply spools 177, 177 rotatably mounted upon a stud 178 secured to a bracket 179 at the rear of the frame A and means to apply the cord to the tape. The tape and cord are fed to a roll 180 secured in bearing brackets 181 on the side of the frame A where the cord is pressed upon the tape by a roll 182 biased in any suitable manner toward the roll 180.

As the cord approaches the point where it contacts the tape it is dampened by any suitable device such as indicated at 183 and thereafter passes through guides 184 and 185 situated more closely adjacent the roll 180. In the form of tape used according to the present description a strand or cord is applied to each lateral edge of the tape so that the guides 184 and 185 will be arranged to lay the cord in two strands along the edges of the tape. It will be understood, how'- ever, that the reinforcing cord may be applied in a single strand to the center of the tape or to either edge alone or that more than two strands of cord may be used without the necessity of making any considerable changes in the'mechanism disclosed.

A ratchet wheel 186 is secured to the roll 180 and this ratchet wheel is driven by a. pawl 187. pivoted upon a rocking arm 188 operated by a rod 189 from the rocking lever 115 already described. F or'the purpose of changing the rate at which the tape is fed to the mechanism the connection between the rod 189 and the lever 115 is preferably made through a bracket 190 provided with a slot 191 along which the connecting pivot pin 192 may be adjusted. A dog 194 pivoted adjacent the ratchet wheel 186 and pressed thereagainst by a spring 195 may be employed to hold the 1 011180 against reverse movement.

The tape 150 will be understood to have a gummed substance on its surface as it arrives at the roll 180 and further that the.

gummed surface of the tape is positioned uppermost where it will contact with the strands of cord which have been dampened as set forth. The dampened cords will be pressed to the gummed surface of the tape by the roll 182 so'that. theywill be firmly affixed thereto as they arrive at the guide 166 to be supplied to the balls B. Shouldan ungummed tape be used, the reinforcing cords themselves may carry an adhesive coating and be applied in the manner described without change in the mechanism provided.

The tape 150 may be applied to the surface of the ball B after the latter has been completely wound but preferably the end of the tape is started upon the ball before the last part of end surface layer of twine has been laid thereon. This not only provides that the tape will be placed on the ball in such a manner that it cannot easily be removed when the article is marketed but also provides for gripping the end of the tape upon the ball so that it may be carried therearound after the ball is completed by turningof the mandrel upon which the ball is wound. The tape is fed toward theball by the rolls 136 and 137 through the operation of the rack followers 138?) engaging the identical cam grooves 199 on oppositefaces of the cam disc 200.

A shaft 201 for the cam 200 is rotatably mounted in-brackets 196 and 202 suspended beneath the frame plate 22. A gear 203 is fixed to the cam shaft 200 and this gear is driven from a gear 204 on the shaft 48 through a train-of gears 205, 206, 207, 208, 209' and 210, suitable shaft and shaft bearing brackets being provided for this connecting train. As illustrated, the gears 205 and 206 are carried by a vertical stub shaft 211 secured in a depending bracket 212 fastened beneaththe frame plate 22 the gears 207 and 208 are carried by shaft 213 mounted in an L extension' of the bracket 202; while the gears 209 and 210 are carried by a horizontal stub shaft 214 mounted in the vertical por ion of the bracket 202 below the shaft 201. The

arrangementof this train of gears for driv in-g the'c'am' disc 200 from the vertically movable shaft48 is clearly shown in the gearing diagram, Fig. 11. This figure also shows the arrangement of gearing between the shaft 48 and the mandrel 38 carried-in the oscillating frame Shaft 211 is adjustable in a slot 212a in bracket 212 concentric with shaft 48 to change gear 206 and thus changethe speed of cam shaft 201 for different sizes or shapes of balls.

The grooves 199 of the cam disc 200 are formed with a concentric portion 199a, an inwardly directed portion 199?) and an approximately radial portion 1990. The concentric portion is arranged near the outer periphery of the cam and is intended to allow the rack bar to be positionedat the upper end of its stroke, to which position it is biased by a spring 215, for the greater portion of the time that the ball is being wound, it being understood of course thatthe cam 200 rotates continuously but at a relatively slow rate of speed. When the ball has been almost comi pletely finished sothat only a few turns of the surface layer of twine remain to be applied, thecam fingers 138?) of the rack bar 138 will enter the-inwardly directed portion 1996 of the cam groove to move the rack bar'down and supplytape to'the ball. .When a sufficient amount has been supplied the fingers 138?) will enter the radial portion 1990 of the cam groove and allow the rack bar to move upward suddenly under the influence ofthe spring 215. This will cause the rack bar to operate one blade 216v of cutting shears to sever the tape 150 by engagement with the fixedblade 217 of the shears.

The mechanism through which the rack bar movesthe blade2l6 comprises a member 218'pivoted upon the rack bar 138 by a pin 2192\ndbiased by a spring 220. The blade 216 is pivoted upon stationary part of the machine by a'pin 221 Below the pivot 221 and m nearer-the cutting edge, the blade-216 is provided with a depending portion 222 carrying a latera-l'stud 223. The member 218 has a cam'portion 2250a that side which is adapted to engage the stud 228. The upper face 2 25a'of the earn 225 is abrupt while the lower surface 225? has a more gentle slope. From this construction itw'ill be seeuthat whenthe rack bar moves down slowly under the influence of the disc cam the gently inclined portion 225?) of tliecam 225 will press against these; rin'g'220 and ride over the stud 223'without causing movement of theiblade 216 but, when the rack bar moves upward suddenly under the. influence of the spring 215, the abrupt face 225a of the cam 225 willstrike the stud 223 a sharpblow and force the cutting edge of the blade 216 upward to sever the tape. The cam surf-ace 225a is not sufficiently abriuat, however, to cause the same to look upon the stud 223 but allows it to move outwardly to permit the member'218 to pass by thestud 223 after the blade 216' has been given its initialblow.

Shaft 201 also carries a cam 197 for operating the push rod 161 for pressing roll 15? upon the ball in timed'relation with the operation ofthe other parts'of the machine.

According to this invention means is provided for stopping the oscillation of the frame 33' as the tape is fed to the surface of the twine ball in order thatthe' tape may be disposed in a straight path about the mid-circumference or equator of the ball. Any desired mechanism may be employ-ed for this purpose-but preferably the mechanism which ,I employ is as follows. The bar 110 employed for oscillating theframe 33 is provided along its length with an aperture 230 adapted to pass over the end of a stud 231 secured in an extension 232-made fast to the frame 33. box guide 283' is secured to extension 232 by the stud 231 for uiding the bar 110 intoposition for the aperture to-engage the stud 231. Preferably also a groove 284 is provided on the lower side of the bar 110 leading to the aperture 230 for guiding the stud into the aperture. The bar '110'ismade sufiiciently flexible to allowitto'be raised: above the stud 230 for disengaging the same to stop movement of the frame 33 therefrom. In lieu of making the bar flexible forraising, an alternative arrangement readily understood Without further illustration would be to provide the bar with an additional horizontally-disposed pivot adjacent its connection to the the ball B squarely in front of the issuing tape. An adjustable stop pin 229 (Fig. 3) may be employed to limit the movement of the frame under'theaction of spring 236 if desired.

The means for raising the bar 110 from the .1 I

.When the rack bar is at the upper end of its travel the member 241 will-be positioned some distance above the end 240 of the lever 237.

The upper position of the member-241 corresponds to that at which the end of the tape coincides with the shearing blades and a lowered position of the member 241 where it is effective to stop the oscillation of the frame 33 by contact with the lever 237 corresponds to the position ofthe tape as it first reaches the surface of the ball. Thus the oscillation of the frame will be stopped as soon as the tape reaches the surface of the ball. Any further movement of the rack bar 138 downward after it engages the lever 237 will only cause an additional raising of the bar within the guide box 233, the parts being made and arranged to have suflicient movement for this purpose.

The rotation of the fiyer will not be discontinued as soon as the tape has been started upon thesurface of the ball but will be allowed to continue in order thatanumber of turns of the surface cover of twine may be laid over the forward end of the tape fed to the ball as set out above.

When the desired number of turns of twine have thus been wound upon the ball over the tape, the flyer is stopped while the mandrel 38 continues to turn to carry the tape completely around the ball and sufficiently far to allow the tape to be attached upon itself. Any suitable means may be employed to stop the rotation of the flyer but the mechanism which-I prefer to employ is as follows l r The sprocketwheel 93 is loosely mounted on the shaft 26 and a clutch 227 is splined to the shaft 26 so as to be slida-ble thereon and rotatable therewith at all times and this clutch is adapted to bebro'ught into engagement with the sprocket wheel 93 to cause the same toturn with the shaft 26 or to be moved away from the wheel 93 in order that the latter may turn freely on the shaft 26. A groove 228 is formed in the clutch 227 and a yoke 242 provided witlrinturned fingers 243 which ride in the groove 228 is adapted to cause sliding movement of the clutch memher 227. The yoke is carried by a lever 244 pivoted to a projection 245 fast on the frame A by a pin 246 at the lower end of the lever.

A link 247 operatively connects the lever 244 at a point above the pin 246 to a lever 248 pivoted to bracket 103 by a pin 249. The lethe operation of the machine.

ver 248 is provided with a handle 250 at'its outer end and adjacent thefront of the machine for manual operation.

After the fiyer has been disengaged from the drive shaft it would continue to rotate through the inertia of the parts and it is,

therefore, desirable to provide means for l he detent lever is pivoted between upstanding members 257 secured to the plate 22, and an arm 258 carrying pin ,253'tl1rough which the detent lever 254 is actuated, is made flexible in order that the detent may be pressed against the smooth peripheral surface of the disc 256 until it springs into the notch 255 thereon. 'Acoil spring 259 normally serves to press'against the inner face of the flexible arm to hold the detent outof engagement with the disk 256.

After the ball of twine has been completely wound and the tape applied and secured upon its outer surface, it is necessary to stop the operation of the machine entirely in order that the ball may be removed and a new one started. For this purpose I have provided an idler pulley 260 on the shaft 26 to which the belt 28 be shifted. A

belt shift lever 263 may be, employed for the purpose of moving the belt between the idler pulley 260 and the drive pulley27, the same being equipped with a belt fork 265 and being pivoted upon the samepin 249 as that to which the lever 248 is pivoted. The front end ofthe lever 263 is provided with a handle266 for manual operation. Between the pin 249 and the handle 266 the lever 263 coincidcs in normal or operating position with. the lever 248 so that a notch 267 in the lever 263 rests against the side of the projecting member 252 on. the lever 248. Bythis connection through the projecting member 252 the belt shift lever will be moved into operating position when the lever 248 is moved into operating position but the lever 248 may be movedinto inoperative position to disengage the clutch of the V fiyer without shifting the lever 263 to throw the drive belt to the idler The mandrel is thus allowed to continue in operation after the flyer has been stopped but will-be set into operation at the commencement of the winding of a.

new ball simultaneously with the fiyer.

Preferably automatic means is provided for stopping the flyerand for shifting the belt to the idler pulley in timed relation with As shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 9 and 12, the mechanism provided for this purpose comprises a cam. disc 270 fast on the cam shaft 201 provided with pins 271 and 272 on its face for operating a lever 273 pivoted upon a bracket 27. 1 fast to the frame of the machine by a pin 275. The pin 271 is arranged nearer the center of thedisc 27'0 thanpin 272 and. also in advance thereof so as to operate'upon the lever 273 ahead of the pin 272. Pin 22 .being nearer the periphery of the disc thanpin 271 will cause further movement of: the lever beyond the pivot to which it has been carried by pin 271. The pin 27 2 may be adjustably carried in a slot 276 in the disc 270 to regulate the time at which it will engage the lever. A latch 280 is pivotally mounted upon a pin 281 in a member 282 fast on a bracket 103 in such position that a hook 283 will engage and hold both the clutch lever 2%8- and the belt shiftlever 263. The latch 280is provided with an integral-L- shaped arm 285 adapted to be engaged by an adjustable locking screw 277 carried in the outer end of the cam operated lever 273. hen pin 271'engages the lever 273 it will cause the hook- 283 on latch 280 to raise sufliciently to release the lower or clutch lever 248 while retaining the upper or belt shift lever. Both levers 248 and 263 are provided with springs 288, 289 respectively to cause them to move over when released by the latch.

The operation of the apparatus in its sim ple form for winding a ball of twine upon the mandrel 38 has already been described and the related operation of parts for applying tape to the surface of the completed ball of twine will be clear from the preceding de scription and statement of the function of the various auxiliary devices. A summary oiithe operation of these auxiliary devices will now be given, however, for the purpose of'. making the operation more readily apparent. Takin the parts in the positions in which they are'shown in assembly Figures 1, 2 and 3 it is seen that the ball of twine B on the mandrel 38 is in practically its completed form- Thcrack bar 138'is in its highest position and the fingers 138?) at the lower end of the rack bar 138 are positioned near the end of the concentric portions199a of the cam grooves 199. The leading end of the tape 150 is positioned at the shears 216, 217. The mandrel 38, the flyer and the mandrel frame 33 are all connected with the drive shaft 26 for operation thereby;

' When the cam disc 200 rotates a short way from the position shown in these figures, the fingers on the rack bar will ride into the inwardly inclined portions 1996 of the cam grooves 199' to move the rack bar downward and this movement of the rack bar through its connection with the rolls 136 and 137 will cause the tape to be fed to the surface of the ball of twine beneath the thereby be stopped. The spring 236 attached to the mandrel frame 33 causes it when freed to come to rest atthe proper'position as regulated by the adjustable stop 229' for application of the tape of the ball.

The flyer 90 continues in operation fora short time after the tape is fed to the ball in order to laya number of turns of twins upon the leading end of the tape to make the same fast upon the ball. VVhena sufiicient number of these turns have been placed the lever 2&8 will. be shifted by spring 288 after the latch 280 has been caused to release the lever through the action of pin 271 on cam lever 273 to. cause the clutch 227 to be disengaged from the sprocket wheel 93 and to spring the detent'25 1 into the notch 255 in disc 256 on the flyershaft 91 to stop the same immediately and in. a determined position. The ball atthis stage is shown in Figs. 15 and" 17. f i

The mandrel 38 continues to rotate after the movement: of the mandrel frame 33 and the flyer 90 have been stopped to carrythe tape about the circumference of the ball. When a suiiicient length of tape has been fed forward by the rolls 136, 137, the fingers 138?) of the rack bar 139' will pass into the radial portion 1990 of the cam groove 199 and, through the action of spring 215', the rack barv will be moved suddenly upward. The sudden upward movement of the rack bar willv cause the movable blade 216 of the shears to be swung upward past the blade 217 to sever the tape;

When the tape has been wound completely about and secured upon the ball,action of pin 272 on lever 27 3 will cause'the latch 280 to release the lever 263 which, through the action of spring 289 will be thrown to the left as viewed in Fig. 12, to shift the belt 28 to the idler pulley 260 to stop the machine entirely. When the machine has been stopped, the completed ball is removed from the mandrel 38 and the trailing end of the twine is cut from that portion carried by the fiyer. If desired, a loop'2-68'Inaybe formed in this loose end of the twine. This provides ready means for supporting the ball in use and a strong one since the loose end cannot easily cut throughthe reinforced band; Furthermore it suggests to the consumer that the inner end of twine, which is conveniently placed across the cavity of theba'll" at the end" from which it may be pulled to remove the twine without twisting, should be pulled out for use. lhe ball of twine manufactured according to this mode of operation is shown 7 it is only necessary to catch the end of the twine in a slot 38a and to shift the handle 250 of the lever 2 18 to the right. -The movement of lever 248 alone will cause thelever 24a to move the clutch 227 into driving relation with the sprocket wheel 93 and permit the detent 254 to be released from the projecting 11 ember 252- so that it may move out of the notch 255 through the action of spring 259. This movement of. the lever 248 through the projecting member252 will cause coincidental movement of the belt shift lever 263 to throw the belt upon the drive pulley 27; Upward movement of the rack bar 138 will have meanwhile released the bar 110 from the lever 237 so that it will again engagethe stud231 to cause oscillation of the frame 33. The slot 38a as seen in Figs. 15 and 16 is made suf ficiently long to allow the inner end of the twine to be started at the position which is to be 1 he inner end of the ball from which end, as pointed out above, it may most advantageously be removed without causing kinking of the twine when the ball is unwound.

The mechanism for forming the tape will operate continuously at all times while the shaft 26 is turning and the tap-e finished by this mechanism and passed from the roll 180 willform slack between the rol and the guide 166 at the end of the tape feed'box 131 where it may be pulled up and fed to the ball as required.

he parts whenstoppe-d in the positions indicated upon the completion of a ball of twine will be in proper position to start into operation again so that the related movement of the fiyer and the osc llating frame 33 will be in step. But if it should happen that the parts do not'start into operation in correc relationship the machine may be stopped, the detent lever 254 pushed out of the notch 255 against the spring arm 258 by the operator, and the flyer 90 turned the knob 98 into correct position with relation to the oscillated position of the mandrel 38.

7 1V hile one embodiment of this invention has been described partioularly,.it is to be understood that various changesand modifications are contemplated and it is therefore desired that the invention be regarded as limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

VVhat I claim is:

1. In a. twine balling machine in combination, means to wind the twine in aball, and means co-operable with said winding means to apply a circumferential gummed band to the surface of the ball including means to.

press said band uponvthe outer layer of twine to cause itto adhere thereto throughout its length.

2. In a twine balling machine in combination, means to wind the twine in a ball, and means. co-operable with said winding means to place an end of a circumferential band beneath the outer layer of twine and wrap the band upon itself and said outer layer of twine.

3. In a twine balling machine in combination, means to lay the twine in a ball about a rotating spindle, means to rotate the spindle and means to stop the twine laying nieans and apply a band to the surface of the ball during the continued rotation of the spindle.

l. In a twine balling machine having means to lay the twine in a ball about a rotating spindle, the combination therewith of means co-operable with said twine-laying means to place one end of a circumferential band beneath the outer layer of twine, and means to stop the twin-e laying means while the band is carried completely about the ball during the continued rotation of the spindle.

5. In a twine balling machine having a ball holding spindle and means to Wind the twine in a ball upon the spindle comprising twine-laying means and spindle-rotating means, the combination therewith of means to supply the end of a circumferential band to the ball while the final turns of twine are being applied so that said end will be secured beneath said twine, and means for stopping the application of twine by said twine-laying means but permitting the continued rotation of said spindle, said-band supplying means thereafter being operative in co-ordination with the rotation of said spindle to wrap the band about the circumference of the com pleted ball.

-6. In a twine balling machine having a rotatable ball-holding spindle and means to laythe twine upon the rotating spindle, the combination therewith of means to supply the end of a circumferential band to the ball while the final turns of twine are being applied so that said end will be secured beneath said twine, and means for stopping said twine-laying means,- said band applying means thereafter in cooperation with the continued rotation of said spindle being operative to wrap the band about the circumference of the completed ball.

'1'. In a twine balling machine having a rotatable and oscillatable ball-holding spindle and means to lay the twine upon the rotating and oscillating spindle, the com 'bination therewith of means to supply the end of a circumferential band to the ball and simultaneously to stop the oscillations of said" spindle while the final turns of twine are being applied so that said end will be secured beneath said twine, and means for stopplng sald twlne-laying means, said band supplying means there-after in {cooperation -with the continued rotation of said spindle -being operative-to wrap the band about the circumference of the completed ball.

8.; The a combination with a twine balling machine having a ball holding ,spindle, means: to rotate said spindle, means to'- oscillatesjaid spindle and a fiver to lay the"twine upon the spindle, of means to supply the end of a circumferential band to the balland simultaneously to, render said spindle oscillating means inoperative while the fiver and spindle rotatingmeans .continuei-in opera- -tionsothat said end will be secured-beneath the finalturns of-saidvtwine, and means for stopping the operation of said flyer, said "band-supplying means thereafter in'cooperationwith the rotation of said spindle *being -;operative itoiwrap'the band about the circumference fof 'the completed ball.

9. The combination with a twine. balling :rnacl1i-ne. haivinga rotatble ball-carrying V :spindle and a flyerto 7 wind the twine upon ftlie spindle-,;of aclutchfor connecting said flyer to a'drivi-ng shaft, a stop-for saidfiyer, a lever arranged to operate both said clutch I :and -saidstop, and meanscontrolled by op- =era-tion ofthe machine for moving said lever, said means comprising arotatable'cam, a lever operated by; said oam, S nd a #latch engageable with said clutch lever and releasable therefrom by -movementof {said 0am zopersaid-fiyenis mounted, a notched disc-on said shaft, a' -detentadapted torengage thenotch insaid disc to stop it, a spring arm provided.

- eonsaid-detent, a pin on sa d spring armand a lever arranged to operate both said-clutch.

, and saidv prinoarm,-said lever having a plate gfor actuating said pin.

11. The-combination with a twine balling *machine having a. rotatable ball-carrying spindle and a flyertowind-the twine .upon

7 the spindle, of a clutch for connecting said 1 flyer to a driving shaft, a shaft-upon which .said flyer ismounted, a notched disc OllfSZlld shaft, aldetent adaptedto engage the notch in said disc to-=stopit, a lever arranged to u Qoperateboth saidclutch and said detent, a

member on. said clutch lever through which it acts l upon said detent, a belt shift lever mounted -adj acent said clutchleverarranged vto operate independently-to shift the belt v "tostopwthe ma chi-ne buti operated bysaid clutch lever member to shift'the belt tostart the machine.

to a driving shaft, a-lever arranged to oper- 'with the operation of' said', machine for controlling the movement of said-clutch and belt shift levers.

twin'eballing 13. The combinationwitha 7 machine having a. rotatable ball-carrying spindle and a fiver to wind-thetwine upon thespindle, of a clutch for connecting. said flyer to a driving shaft, a lever arranged to operate said clutch, a belt shift lever mounted adjacent saidiclutclr lever, and means timed with theoperatio'nof said machine for Y successively controlling the movement of said clutch and belt shift levers. p t

- 14. The combination. in=a twine balling machine of a rotatable ball-carryingspin- *dle, a frame fo-r said spindle, means to'oscillate said frame, and means both to stop the oscillation ofsaidj frame and to supply tape to form a circumferential band about said ball.

15. The com-bination with: a twine balling machine having a ball carr ying spindle, and

an oscillatable frame .forsaid spindle, of means including a 'roll' movable toward and from said ball to supply tape'for, acircu-mferential'band about, saidball, and means controlled,by movement of said machine for moving said roll toward the ball. I 16. Thecombination with a twine. balling machine having a ball-carrying spindle, and an oscillatable frame for said spindle, of

means including a roll movable toward and p from saidball to supply tape=for acircumferential band about said ball, means to stop the oscillation of said frame, and means controlled by movement ofsa'id machine for moving said roll toward the ball after the oscillation ofsaid frame has been stopped.

17. The combination with a t-wine balling machine having aball-carrying spindle, and

an oscillatable frame for'said spindle, of

means including a roll movable toward and from saidball'to supplytape for a circum ferential band aboutsaid ball,-means*to stop 'theoscillation ofsaid frame, and means controlled by movement of; said machine for moving said roll towardthe ball after the oscillation of said framehasbeen stopped, said means for movingsaid roll including a cam; driven by; said machine and a rod connected with said roll and operated :by said cam.

'18. The combination-with a twine balling machine having a ball-carrying spindle, a frame for'saidspindleand means to oscillate saidframe, of a reoiproc-atingbargunder con- "trol of a constantly driven camboth to stop v v 7 the toscillaiionfof said frame andto supply 12. The combinationwith a twine balling machine having a" rotatable ba1l-carrying spindl'eand a flyer to wind the twine upon the spindle, of a clutch for connectingflyer tape for a circumferentialband :about said ball when moving in one direction and to cause said tape to be cut when moving in the opposite direction. V y

v 19. The combination with a twine balling machine having a ball-carrying spindle, a

' frame for said sp'indle and means to oscillate f'said frame, ofa roll for feeding tape for a circumferential band about said ball, a rack bar, a pnnon meshing with the teeth on said rack bar, ratchet'connections between said pinion and said roll for operating the latter when the bar is moving in one direction, con

nections between said bar and said oscillating means to stop the operation of the latter when the bar moves in the d1rection to feed I the band, a constantly -driven cam in o erative engagement with said bar, said cam having a concentric portion to hold said bar in one position while said ball is being formed, an inclined portion to move the bar in feeding direction and an approximately radial portion to allow the bar to move rapidly in the reverse direction, and a knife operated by said bar when moving along the radial portion of the cam to cut the band 20. The combination with a twine balling 'machine having a rotatable ball-carrying spindle, a frame for said spindle and means to oscillate said frame, of a rollfor feeding tape for a circumferential band about said ball, a rack bar, connections between said bar and sald roll for operating the latter when thebar is moving in one direction, connections 7 between said bar and said oscillating means to stop the operation of the latter when the bar moves in the band feeding direction, a

constantly driven cam having a concentric portion to hold said bar inone position while said ball is being formed, an inclined portion to movethe bar in feeding direction, and an approximately radial portion to allow the .bar to move rapidly in reverse direction, and

a knife operated by said bar when moving along the radlal portion of sald cam to sever the band after a sufficient length thereof has been. fed to form a circumferential band for said ball.

means to break said connection and stop the oscillation of said frame.

22. The combmatlon with a twine balling machine having a rotatable ball-carrying spindle and an oscillatable frame for said spindle, of a reciprocating bar having a pin and recess driving connection with said frame, and means controlled-by movement derived from saldmachme to break said connection and stop the oscillation of said 'frame when aball is completed.

In a ball winding machine in combination, means to wind a ball of twine,means to supply a cover tape to said ball including a rack bar, a pivoted knife member for out ting said tape, a pro ect1on on said member,

and a push rod pivoted on said rack bar havinga lug with an abrupt face and a more gradually inclined face, said inclined face passing by the projection on said knife mem- '-'ber when the rack bar is moving. in one direction but said abrupt face engaging the projection to move the knife member when the bar is moving in the reverse direction.

24.. The combination asset 'forth'in claim 23 but which further includes resilient con: nections between said rack bar and push rod to bias the lug of the rod toward the projection and to allow said abrupt face to be disengaged from the projection after the knife member has been moved the required dis; tance. v 1 g p 25. The combination as set forth in claim 23 but which furtherincludes a spring for moving said rack bar abruptly in the direction for said abrupt lug face to engage said.

projection.

26. In a twine balling machine in combination, means to form twine into a ball, means to apply a reinforced band lengthwise to the circumferential surface of the ball, and means to form said 'band,said band-forming means being co-ordina'ted in action with said ball-forming means and] said band-applying means to furnish the band as it is required after the winding of the twine on the ball has been substantially completed.

27 In a twine balling machine in combination, means to form twine into a ball, means to apply a longitudinally reinforced band to the ball, means to form said longitudinally reinforced band, said band-forming'means being 'co-ordinated in action'with said ballforming means and said band-applying means to furnish the band as it is required afterthe winding of the twine on the ball has been substantially completed, and means to regulate the action of said band-forming means.

28. The methodof manufacturing a ball of twine which comprises, rotating and oscillating the ball while wrapping the twine thereabout, stopping the oscillation of the ball while permitting the rotation and wrapping to continue and simultaneouslysupply ing a circumferential band thereto, then stop ping the wrapping after a number of turns of twine have been carried across the end of the band whilepermitting the rotation to continue until the band is completely passed around the ball and secured upon itself.

29. The method ofmanufacturing a ball of twinewhich comprises, rotating the ball while wrappi'ngthe' twine thereabout, stopping thewrapping and supplyingia flat circumferential band thereto from a source other than that from which the twineis supplied while permit-ting the rotation to continue until the band is completely passed around the ball and secured upon itself." 7

30. The method of manufacturing 'a ball of twine Which comprises, rotating the ball While wrapping the twine thereabout, stopping the wrapping and pressing a gummed circumferential band thereto while permitting the rotation to continue until the band is completely passed around'the ball and a stuck to the surface turns of twine and upon itself.

31. In a twine packaging machine, in combination, means for rotating a ball oftwine, means for feeding a band thereto, means holding said ball in position to receive said band 

